15:50 Pontefract
Wednesday 10 June 2020
All12:4513:1513:4514:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50
VW Van Centre (West Yorkshire) Ltd Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 1m 4f 5y | Good (Good to Firm in places) | 11 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 2m 36.58s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Fit from hurdling when running well/winning on the AW at Newcastle last time over 1m4f (enjoyed himself from the front) to beat three rivals. Harder to dominate here but only up 4lb; suited by a quick surface, should remain competitive at this level.
Useful on the Flat (with Michael Bell) earlier in his career prior to developing into a fair hurdler (well beaten in County Hurdle last time) for his current handler. Had wind ops, looks on a rational mark returning to the Flat over this trip.
Three-time Flat winner in 2018 over similar sort of trips before running an adequate race in his sole 2019 start. Never won off a mark this high; likes to front run/race prominently (yet to win in a field of this size), others appeal more.
Recorded back-to-back Wolverhampton wins last year (showed a good attitude both times) over this trip. Easily beaten when last seen taking on better company at Kempton (stable performing well since resumption); 0-8 on turf tempers enthusiasm.
Performed well at both ends of last season scoring at Carlisle early on and ending his year with two solid placed efforts over 1m6f in testing conditions. Ran well on reappearance last year; still on a workable mark although; wide draw isn't ideal.
Smart sort when first with this yard (won 2017 Ebor), rather lost his way since then including in his time with Linda Jewell. Fallen markedly in the weights since his glory days, potentially well treated if he can find some of his old spark.
His followers would have had an expensive time last year (beaten favourite three times); only win came in a C&D maiden (good opportunity). This is an ease in grade for him, can run very free/often slow away, well regarded but comes with risks.
Twice a winner at Ripon last year (1m4f), showed that she could cope with marks like this in two subsequent starts. Second to talented Goshen at Nottingham (1m6f, heavy) to end the season (Buriram third); progressive sort, family improve with age.
Back to winning ways on the Flat last summer having scored twice over hurdles earlier in the year. Collective body of work in both spheres for the rest of 2019 was creditable (several placed efforts); handicapper looks in charge, drawn wide.
Done most of his racing at around this trip but got back to winning ways over 2m at Newcastle in October (showed good attitude). Now reverts to 1m4f, 1lb above last winning mark; stable still rather quiet, best watched on this occasion.
Three-time winner last year (all at 1m6f on soft/heavy); failed to meet expectations when last seen (tough previous race/win may have left its mark). Ought to be able to cope with this mark but down in trip on quicker ground with a wide draw.
Non-Runners
10
(3)
Mr Carpenter237
Weight: 8-12| Age: 4
T: T D Easterby J: D Allan
NR
Forecasts
Ballylemon (10/3), Christopher Wood (7/2), Buriram (4/1), Groveman (13/2), Monsieur Lambrays (9/1), Theatro (11/1), Nakeeta (14/1), Mr Carpenter (16/1), Doctor Cross (20/1), Well Funded (33/1), Ingleby Hollow (40/1), Akamanto (50/1)
Another good quality handicap and a fair few can be given a chance but the Camelot gelding THEATRO is given the nod having finished last year with a good second at Nottingham to the now smart hurdler Goshen (went off favourite for Triumph Hurdle). She handles various ground and still looks as though she can progress. Buriram was third at Nottingham but his wide draw isn’t helpful and bigger dangers lie in wait in the shape of winning hurdlers Groveman and Christopher Wood. The former is nicely berthed to attack (won from front last time) while the latter looks nicely handicapped on his jumps form. Nakeeta now back with Iain Jardine is dangerously well handicapped if he found his old sparkle.
- Theatro
- Groveman
- Christopher Wood
Prize Money
1st: £4,690.002nd: £1,396.003rd: £697.004th: £349.00
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